An illegal rave being held inside the Tyne Bridge to celebrate the New Year was broken up by police shortly before 2am today.

Around 200 revellers were partying in the old lift shaft of Newcastle's famous landmark before officers and police dogs arrived.

Cops used heavy-duty mechanical saws to cut through the large metal doors and break up the party, which was being held just yards from away from the official city's fireworks display.

One man, who captured the entire incident on video from his Premier Inn bedroom, told the Chronicle Live : “We got back around 1am and I could hear music and see a few lights in the tower, but to be honest I didn’t really think much of it.